Journal of the San Juan Islands

Authorities seek information on human remains

San Juan County Sheriff's office is seeking additional information from a woman who brought what appear to be Native American human remains to the department in late September.

According to Undersheriff Jon Zerby, the human remains -- described as "partial", "very old" and "probably Native American" -- were uncovered along the waterfront on the north end of San Juan Island, at Afterglow Beach, by the woman's son and then delivered to the department Sept. 25. At the time, the woman was asked to provide more information, such as an exact location where the partial remains were found, but has failed to do so, Zerby said.

"I am asking this woman to contact the Sheriff's Office, at (360) 378-4145, to provide needed information," he said in an email distributed Nov. 19 to local media.

Native American artifacts, and cultural and human remains, are periodically unearthed in the San Juan Islands, a historic seasonal or full-time home of various indigenous peoples.